Strictly Come Dancing fans expressed their sympathy for Karen Hauer, suggesting that her celebrity partner seemed disinterested in the competition. The popular show returned to our screens on Saturday night, with 15 celebrities hoping to impress both the judges and viewers at home.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman resumed their usual hosting duties following last week’s successful series opener. Ex-footballer Paul and his partner Karen performed the first salsa of the new series to Pitbull’s Fireball but failed to win over the judges, scoring a mere 15 points.
Anton Du Beke described Paul as “extraordinary”, but criticised his lack of technique. Craig Revel Horwood didn’t hold back, likening the performance to a “comedy dance at a wedding”.
Despite the crowd’s boos, he continued: “It was really not good. You were glued to the floor and Karen did everything dancing around you.”
However, he did commend Paul on his lifts, describing them as “very very good”. Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions, with many noticing tension between Karen and Paul, reports .
Strictly viewers were left feeling sorry for Karen Hauer (Image: BBC)
One viewer tweeted: “#Strictly somebody save Kren I feel so sorry for Karen. #scd #strictly.” Another fan observed: ” clearly doesn’t want to be there #Strictly.”
A viewer lamented: “Would love it one year if they just let the ‘older’ celebs like have a fair shot without turning them into the joke act. Not fair on them and not fair on the pro. #strictly.”
One eagle-eyed fan queried: “Anyone else notice the tension between #karan #paul #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Supporters of Paul expressed their backing, with one posting: “I think Paul has a great attitude. He knows he can’t dance and doesn’t care. Good for him. #StrictlyComeDancing #strictly.
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Karen and Paul made their debut on Saturday’s show (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Another empathetic viewer commented: “Paul looks so sad after those comments. It’s only week two, he is doing great #StrictlyComeDancing.”
As week two heats up, the stakes are high as one celebrity pair faces elimination on Sunday night during the first exit of the series.
Fans are now in control, with the power to vote and save their top choices. In an exciting reveal, the judges and professional dancers are set to deliver an “avant-garde gothic tango” to Prince’s When Doves Cry and New Order’s Blue Monday on the first results show.
live show airs every Saturday on One and iPlayer